I know Americans do this when they're very small. But in my country we only do it often in universities, and i'm freaked out the day before even though it was just 5 minutes. I mouth was shaking today when I stand in front of the class and debate with my partner. Must be some sort of phobia. And i still have to do it until my graduation! Terrified just to imagine.
I've never really had a problem with public speaking, but I know a lot of people hate when they have to talk in front of the class. It just depends how your school works IMO.
I used to have a big problem with public speaking, then I took theatre. It really helped and now I love acting/being on stage/giving presentations/etc.
Unless I have a script, I have absolutely no problem with public speaking. I'll die if I ever had to do impromptu. =P
I am very shy when it comes to public speaking. I tend to stutter and blush, but it has been worse than it is now. Man, it has been bad xD Especially when I'm at an exam, I really get nervous. It's actually kinda ridiculous, because when you're nervous it makes people notice that more than what you're saying.
Eee, I love improv. I used to be in an improv club as well as drama club when I was in high school. ....I sound like such a nerd all the time )8
I agree impromptu isn't as bad cause you can just make things up. With reciting a speech i actually forget parts and stutter and not being able to move my hands frustrates me so i keep a paper clip in my hand. Makes it a little easier to talk and distracts me. The fear I think is just mostly confidence and having all those eyes looking at you. All those eyes. x.x
I'm bad at improvising, so I have to practise a lot. I tend to blank out in front of an audience, but if I'm really enthusiastic about the topic, I'm fine.
If its some thing technical or subject oriented i can do that without much problem!! But when it comes to general topics on the spot topics i am pretty bad.. I too had stage fear but by my effort at college i have reduced it a little!! I suggest to grab any opportunity that comes in your way(public presentations etc)..Its a sure shot way to combat fear of presentations!!
I don't really have a problem with it. It's only when people deliberately put me off, it annoys me ;D
I don't think "Americans" are the only ones with fears of speaking publicly. In general I think people fear judgment.
I'm an American and I was nervous maybe my first couple of presentations back in like Middle School, but wasn't nervous in high school or college at all... now I'm in schools every day teaching class and talking to classes nonstop all day long, doesn't bother me obviously
it must be nice that some people have no problems with public speaking personally, I stutter, shake, blush, cry, sweat and I can't speak normally whatsoever I hated giving presentations in school but on the plus side I'm pretty sure that my inability to speak coherently made my professors give me higher scores than they normally would have hehe
because you know many people are watching you, evaluating you, so you become nervous as you are afraid whether or not they will pay attention to you, boo you, ask you questions you probably won't know how to answer, etc. unless you have experience in giving the same presentations over and over again with lots of positive results, its hard to build up confidence...
I'm going to have to give a presentation for an important project next week. My group has been working on it for ages and meeting up to rehearse practically everyday. Hopefully my lines will get ingrained in me so that even if I panic, I won't fumble (or, my chances of fumbling are less...) I think everyone's scared of presentations to a certain extent. The difference lies in the amount of practising. Because that really hides your fear? D: